I am interested in buying my first espresso machine for my apartment. I use the one at my job all the time. Its a big commercial machine. Very old though and doesn't work right all the time. But I do know what good espresso tastes like. I know how to grind beans, tamp, and use the machine. Beyond that I don't really know much about what makes a good machine or how to choose one. I know I want a semi-automatic. Also would like the option of using fresh ground or pods. I just want something that will be reliable and make a pretty good shot. My budget is about $500. Not much for a good machine I know. But any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I will pass on the advice that was given to me just yesterday on a similar post. You will need a grinder and most agreed that the Baratza Preciso is a good starter blender. Check my post some Senior members added several good links filled with information to help guide me along the path towards purchasing my first home espresso machine. Good luck. I am sure the more experienced will soon reply to this thread.

I like just espresso. Usually doubles. 1-2 cups per session. 2-3 times per day. Probably will be more on the 2 times per day side. $500 Budget is for machine only. I will probably invest in grinder later on. That's why I'd like one that is pod capable. I can always get fresh ground from work or can buy it fresh ground from a local store. I keep reading review after review but always wind up more confused. That's why I signed up here.

Take Mark Prince's advice seriously. It sounds as if you will be sentencing yourself to months of lousy coffee while you save up for a grinder. From what I have read in these forums, almost everyone who replies to your post will think that their own solution is the best. I am no exception. Since you do not want to steam milk, consider buying a Gaggia MDF grinder for about $200 and a Mypressi handheld espresso machine for $140-160. There is hardly any learning curve and the unit is very user tolerant. I can count the number of undrinkable shots that I have made with it over the past year on one hand. If you think the Mypressi is no better than a toy or a moka pot, think again. My unit can clearly show the difference in grind quality between the Gaggia MDF and my recent $1400 Compak K-10. Read my review of it here: Click Here (coffeegeek.com) Remember, quality of the brew comes first and foremost from the bean, then from the roast, next from the grind and finally from the infusion. Each step is an opportunity to maintain or conceal quality. Most of us have control only over the last two steps and a poorly ground roast going into a capable machine is the mistake most of us make.

Since you are in the coffee biz I will skip my lecture about the grinder. You know how important the grinder is and choose to ignore it at the peril of your taste buds.

Since you are in the coffee biz you can often find used commercial gear going super cheap at a closed shop. If you have the room because of the large footprint a used Mazzer Super Jolly grinder is a good buy if under $400 and mentally add $50-60 to the price to replace the burrs. I found a used Oscar for under $500. It is a light duty commercial machine that the coffee shop used for catering and they claim to only have had 2 events in 2 years so sold it to me. I had to replace the pump, a safety valve and clean the 3 way but really I got a great machine now for very little out of pocket cost and some elbow grease. The Oscar should work a bit closer to the machine you have at work compared to most home machines. (since most coffee shops are HX machines.) He can do pods with an attachment. In fact, I think there is a pod Oscar for sale in the buy sell trade part of this board he got it by mistake so I believe it is priced to sell. In that case you would have to buy the normal head later. Both are for sale at espressoparts.com and chriscoffee.com and probably other places.

Not really, after about 15 minutes from grinding coffee, it goes stale. This is especially important in making espresso

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Since you prefer straight espresso, you won't be masking any off flavors with milk. Maybe you use a ton of sweetener? You really should strongly consider getting a decent grinder, as you will definitely notice a huge difference in the cup.

My comments below are in bold:

Coffeenoobie Said:

Grinders:Hario-MSS-1B-Mini-Coffee-Grinder - Cheapest but hand poweredOE Lito hand powered - OE LIDO...I own one. It takes me about a 30 seconds to grind 20g. This grinder is just under $200 w shipping calculated in. It has been reviewed as comparable to Mazzer Mini in grind quality (when used for espresso)OE Pharos hand powered - used to be on my wish list for a small footprint commercial quality grinder, but has been replaced by the HG one, which is out of your price range at about $850Baratza Preciso probably the least expensive decent motor-driven grinder on the marketBaratza Vario this one and the "W" are the top of the line from BaratzaBaratza Vario W (my favorite)Used Commercial grinders

As long as you only drink straight espresso, and maybe make an occasional cappuccino or latte for guests, you'll do fine with a SBDU machine. For some portafilter espresso machines like the Rancilio Silvia or the Gaggia Classic special adaptors are available in order to be able to use ESE pods. Pods being pre-fround coffee are generally frowned upon on this forum of coffee gourmets, but it's up to you to decide whether you want them or not. For the best espresso quality possible you'll need a good grinder.

***"This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee, when he was urged to ban the beverage)

Thank you to everyone for your answers. I appreciate all the time spent. Just to be clear, I'm not in the coffee biz. We just have a big machine where I work. I do drink a lot of coffee every day. I love coffee and espresso both. But I definately cannot afford a really nice espresso machine/grinder set up nor do I have the room. I understand you need a really good grinder to make great shots. It's just not feasible for me right now. I was looking at the Gaggia lines, the delonghi, and at the high end a rancilio. I would like a decent machine that will last awhile and make a decent shot. But I am not so serious about it that I want to spend more than a thousand dollars right now. But again thanks for everyone's time and answers.

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